Contents

• This report is based on the following case scenario –
• An ethical approach to action on climate change (i.e. dumping Carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere) is very important. This pollution must be stopped to protect our future generations. ICT (Information Communication and Technology) in Australia produces high volume of carbon-dioxide compared to other industries (ACS Policy Statement for Green ICT, 2007).
• “The ACS has undertaken an emissions audit on the amount of carbon dioxide being generated by ICT usage by Australian Businesses. The results of the audit indicate that ICT use by Australian Businesses generated 7.94Mt of carbon dioxide in 2005, equivalent to 1.52% of total national carbon dioxide emissions.
• To put this figure in perspective road transport accounts for 12.6%, industrial processes 5.3%, metal production (mostly iron and steel) around 2.3%, the cement industry around 1% and civil aviation just under 1% of total national carbon emissions.
• The ACS believes that leveraging technological solutions will be the key to reducing our domestic and commercial carbon dioxide emissions. To gain maximum benefits from this Australian ICT professionals and businesses must be part of the vanguard – we must be leaders and not followers.” (“ACS Polity Statement for Green ICT”, 2007)
• We need to look at green technology to minimize carbon footprints from the ICT industry. The Australian government has passed carbon tax legislation which will come into effect on July 2012 to secure a clean energy future for all Australians. The carbon tax will result in additional cost to Australians.

Description

The ethical dilemmas discussed in this report are –
1. What role do you think should be played by government, private sectors and individuals to support a Green ICT industry?
2. How can you make IT operations greener?
3. How do you recycle IT equipment?
4. How do you reduce electricity consumption in the ICT industry? How do you make data centres more efficient?